Monday, July 12, 2010

Despedidas Galore

Well now that I have more or less Quince Días left in Ecuador, I have started to go into Despedida Mode. Despedidas, or goodbye parties, are a big deal here, especially since I´ve made so many friends and worked with so many people.

The last day of school is tomorrow, however today was the last day of classes. Last week the girls went on paseos or end of the year field trips, and I accompanied three classes.


Friday I went with one of my favorite classes, 5to A, to the pool in Zumbi. They have a great slide and I even called up Grigs to come swim with us. It´s been super hot these past few days and it was a perfect day to spend at the pool.


Me and the girls. They love my big sunglasses....


Saturday I had a paseo with the girls of 6to A and we went to the pools in Yantzaza. Here´s a dad making fritada, or fried pork, and sippin´ a beer. It was hot hot hot that day.


Me and two girls, Dani and Linsy, and the Profesora Teresa.


One of my favorite girls here, Belén, the chica with the short hair, threw me a goodbye party that same afternoon. She invited all the neighborhood kids and they all did a dance for me, made a lunch and served me cake (pronounced kay-e). It was so adorable and really made me feel loved. Passing out of a candy while waiting is tradition (as shown by Banesa).


One of the games was dancing with a tomato on the forehead. Here one of the moms is showing us youngsters how to do it. And did that Mama dance!


Amazing way to end the day! That rainbow was awesome! I told the kids to dance Waka Waka under it while I took the picture.


These are the girls from 7to B and we went to Gualaquiza yesterday. It´s about 2 hours north of Yantzaza. They hired a bus to take us to the military base in Gualaquiza. They gave us a tour, let us swim in the army pool (best pool in Ecuador! SO CLEAN!) and then they served us lunch.


Army boys cutting up yuca for our lunch...


We then went to this tourist spot where two rivers meet. They wouldn´t let the girls swim there but they had a bunch of jungle gym (literally JUNGLE) stuff to play on. Me and a niña.

It was quite an eventful weekend and I´m so grateful for all the niñas and their families for their appreciation and kindness they have shown to me. Today the despedidas at school involved two classes. The first class gave me a set of juice glasses (not sure how I´m going to take those home...) and a very ¨breathtaking¨ statuette. Overall, it´s awesome but very bittersweet. VIVA YANTZAZA!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cor Cor: This is so wonderful! What a sweet ending to a great adventure! I loved the rainbow picture...may be a book cover someday. We love you and are so proud of you!
Mammamamamaa

Anonymous said...

Corrie, please tell me if another PCV will take your place and, if so, will they have a blog? I've loved reading yours. Thanks, Andre, RPCV Chicana 03-05

Scott said...

It's been a fun run, Corrie. Hope you made the most of it. See you back in the states soon!

aunt sheshie said...

dCor Cor,
Sure can tell you made a big impact on those little chicas.'
Can't wait to see you next month.
Safe travels home.
we love you.

Anonymous said...

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CVA said...

Hey all! thanks for reading my blog! And Andre, I´m glad you liked it!! It was cool hearing your input too. I actually met with Dr. Angel Nuñez the other day, from Radio Amazonas, and he sent his saludos and also said you were coming back to Ecuador??
They are not sending a volunteer right away, probably next year, to Yantzaza. There will be a new one in Guayzimi however. But send me your email address (mine is cvanamer@gmail.com).
thanks again everyone!
-corrie

Anonymous said...

Corinda: que magnificas recuerdas! Se que tu seras muy contenta de volver a nuestra case, pero las memorias de tu tiempo en Ecuador te quedaran a jamas!
te amos,
Papi

Unknown said...

Exciting, and what an experience. I am jealous and happy for you.

Brooke
http://www.momentsofelegance.com